Bill > HB149

This bill modifies the procedures for voting on warrant articles at ballot referenda town meetings in New Hampshire. Specifically, it requires that both the original and amended versions of a warrant article be placed consecutively on the official ballot, with clear notations indicating which version is "Original" and which is "Amended". A new provision is added to ensure that if both versions are approved, the version receiving the higher percentage of "yes" votes will be adopted. If both versions receive the same percentage of "yes" votes, the amended version will prevail. The bill also slightly expands the voting threshold language to include both 2/3 and 3/5 vote requirements for certain articles. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, and while it is not expected to have a direct financial impact, municipalities may incur some indeterminable increases in expenditures related to ballot preparation, administrative adjustments, and voter education. The goal appears to be providing voters with more transparent and comprehensive voting options for town meeting warrant articles.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0464&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB149